Europeans extend their lead to five over Asia at Royal Trophy  BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Europe took a commanding 6 1/2 -1 1/2 lead over Asia on Saturday in the Royal Trophy after dominating the four best-ball matches. Saturday was the second day of the three-day Ryder Cup-style event.  Robert Karlsson of Sweden maintained his perfect Royal Trophy record. (Getty Images)
Despite a stronger performance by Captain Joe Ozaki's Asian team, Europe won 3-1 in the fourball format to all but ensure it will retain the Royal Trophy it claimed at last year's inaugural tournament. Europe had a 3 1/2-point lead after Friday's alternate-shot play. The Asian team needs to win seven of Sunday's eight singles matches to upset the Europeans. "It was very exciting. Asia were much stronger, although Europe still got more points," European Captain Seve Ballesteros said. "I am happy we lead, but it is not decided yet as there are still eight more points in the singles." European Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood were close to another victory on Saturday before Thongchai Jaidee and Prom Meesawat, with six birdies, rallied to halve their match. Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Thaworn Wiratchant blew a three-stroke lead on the front nine to fall 1-down to Anthony Wall and Paul McGinley. Robert Karlsson and Niclas Fasth came back from 1-down to halve their match with Asian No. 1 Jeev Milkha Singh and S.K. Ho. Karlsson drove to a foot from the pin on the par-3 17th before knocking in the birdie to even the match. "Obviously every Asian player played better than yesterday," Ozaki said. "We had two good matches that went into the 18th hole, but the European players were strong. We had the chance to draw but we could not make it." Johan Edfors and Henrik Stenson had the easiest win, establishing an early lead over Yong-eun Yang and Toru Taniguchi in their 2 & 1 win. "Johan and I had a good day again," Stenson said. "We should have won earlier but we felt tired in the last holes." Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
